Effectiveness of an informative video on reducing anxiety levels in patients undergoing elective coronarography: An RCT

Background: Anxiety levels have a considerable effect on patients during hospitalization. Cardiology Departments are characterized by a high turn-over of patients and it is necessary to give clear and exhaustive information routinely in compliance with legal and deontological requirements. Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an informative video, devised for patients undergoing coronarography, on reducing anxiety levels and getting more satisfaction from the received information. Methods: A two arm RCT design was chosen. The patients in both study arms received standard care while the informative video was shown in the treatment group. The Spielberger scale was used to measure anxiety levels before the procedure while satisfaction as to the received information was measured using a scale with semantic indications. Results: Ninety-three patients accepted to take part in the study. The weighted mean difference (WMD) between the anxiety levels of the treated and controlled groups was -8.24 (CI 95%: -12.04/-4.44; p<0.00001). The WMD of the level of satisfaction for the received information was +22.23 (CI 95%: +12.73/+31.73; p<0.00001). Conclusions: The use of the informative video in Cardiology Departments proves to be highly recommended as an instrument to lower anxiety levels and increase significantly the level of satisfaction deriving from the received information. (C) 2008 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.